Danakil is one of the most geologically active regions with three tectonic plates meeting at the Afar Triple Junction. When tectonic plates move apart like at Danakil, it creates lave lakes, hot springs, geysers, and fissures in the ground. Our tour is unique as it is well-arranged including “must visit” historic sites of Lalibela, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia are the most extraordinary man-made sites in sub-Saharan Africa which we deliver all with Ethiopian hospitality and touch.
Know before you go
Duration: 5 days
Mobile tickets accepted
Instant confirmation
Itineraries
Day 1
Addis – Lalibela
You’ll start at Addis Ababa, or you can also get picked up
Day 2
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Stop: 5 hours – Admission included
In the morning, fly north to Lalibela and be transferred to your hotel. After lunch, visit the first group of Lalibela Churches which are located north of a small stream named Jordan River. These Churches were carved during the time of King Lalibela (1181 – 1221) and are registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In the city of Lalibela, you will see about Eleven Rock Churches organized into groups of three. Biete Medhanealem Biete Maryam Biete Golgotha Mikael Biete Maskal (House of the Cross) Biete Denagel (House of Virgins) Biete Giyorgis Biete Amanuel Biete Qeddus Merkoreos Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abba Libanos) Biete Gabriel-Ruphael Biete Lehem (Bethlehem Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם, House of Holy Bread).
No meals are included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Lalibela LodgeRock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Day 3
Lalibela to Dabakil (The drive will take from 7 to 8 hours).
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel, Lalibela.
Day 4
Start Danakil tour
Erta Ale
Stop: 7 hours – Admission included
We start our day by driving to Erta Ale (which means smoky mountain in the Afar language). Erta Ale ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. It is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century. We start early 9:00 AM, driving to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing the landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oasis. After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, you will arrive at Dodom’s camping site, located about 17km from Erta Ale. Dinner will be served around 17:00 o’clock. After a short break, trek up to Ertale at 20:00 hours. Camels will be transporting all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. You will spend the night on top of the mountain, at the rim of the Volcano.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Accommodation included:
Overnight Camping
Day 5
Hamed Ela
Afdera
Stop: 7 hours – Admission included
Early Morning sunrise at the northern one corresponds to the main pit crater and walk 5 minutes for the southern and central pits could either corresponds to an ancient pit, or to a simple collapse structure. The main pit crater, 200 m deep and 350 m across is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am Dodom – Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast, if possible at 07:00 o’clock. You will reach the the latest at 10:30 o’clock at the camp, where you will be relaxing. As soon as possible, drive to reach the mythical Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera)(optional may not be available during summertime), a saltwater lake located more than100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions on the planet. Because of the picturesque landscape, it is interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain the salt by evaporating the water of the lake, continuing to Erbiti, and proceeding to Abaala/ Hamed Ela.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Accommodation included:
Overnight Camping
Danakil to Lalibela
Erta Ale
Stop: 7 hours – Admission included
Departure details
Traveler pickup is offered.
We pick up from anywhere in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
We pick up from anywhere in Addis Ababa
Airports:
Bole Airport, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Hotel pickup is offered. View the hotel list on our checkout page to see if yours is included among the pickup points.
Return Details
Returns to the original departure point
Additional information
Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
